Tag: 1964

Another round of class notes is upon me. I feel like I’m on a highway, and when I look back at where I’ve been, all I see are walls of telephone poles. So, the first item I’d like to address is a communication from Stephen Oleskey that somehow was lost back in February of this year. He brought to my attention that he and Nick Puner paid a visit to Bruce Kirmmse in New Hampshire, but wasn’t able to recreate his lost e-mail to me. I believe they had an engaging visit, shared good cheer, and enjoyed a conversation that could have transformed the world if actions followed. Imagine being a fly on the wall listening in on conversations between legal minds.

On a lighter note, Peter Sipples, Bill Needham ’63, and Phil Rockwell ’65 were among Wesleyan baseball alumni who attended a baseball game against Yale on Sept. 26, celebrating 150 years of the game at the institutions. Wesleyan beat Yale in the opposition’s stadium and it was a fine tribute to the national pastime.

C. Garrison Fathman, announced he is “still a professor at Stanford Medical School and will be receiving the Mayo Clinic Alumnus of the Year Award.” He also added that he was still married to the same woman for 47 years. Hmmm! Mayo Clinic award or the same wife? I’ll leave the magnitude of these accomplishments to you, fellow alumni of the class of 1964.

Russ Messing writes, “I am nearing completion of my second book of poetry, which I hope to have in my hot little hands by Xmas. The last edits are with my editor right now. The cover will be one of my son’s pieces of art (check him out at jakemessing.com). I still have to settle on a title and the rest of the details, but the poems are written! I am pleased. And a tip of my hat to Kit Reed, who years ago shepherded me through the mazes and joys of writing. On other fronts: I am inches away from completely retiring from being a clinical psychologist; our daughter, Ali, gave birth in June to Rumi Yuba (I love the name), a strapping, raven-haired beauty; and our son, Jake, is the proud new father of Goldie Marie (I love the name), a delicate, blond beauty, born in September. So, now we have five grandchildren. We are blessed. And, lastly, I am finally getting a tattoo (perhaps a little late, but what the hell!).”

Jon Bagg writes, “Shelley and I recently spent three weeks in Italy (first time for me): four days in Rome, seven days bicycling in Puglia, and then the tourist highlights of Florence, Venice, and Milan. Found the people welcoming, the service and railroads excellent, and enough Renaissance art to last me quite a while.”

Allen Ames reports, “I am still alive, able to stand up, and take nourishment. I live in a condo near the shore in Clinton, Conn., with my small dog who makes me walk with her every day.”

Jon Robison’s wife is in home hospice with cancer. Jon has been dealing with multiple sclerosis for quite some time and depends on a motorized wheelchair. He has a website where he displays his poetry, JonRobisonpoetry.wordpress.com.

Linton Herbert shared, “My life at this point is dedicated to exploring the link between kinship and fertility. They go together. A textbook, Handbook on Evolution and Society, has been published; chapter 19, “Marry In or Die Out,” by the renowned Professor Robin Fox, lays it out for all the world to see. I encourage everybody to lay hands on the book and read at least that chapter, particularly anybody interested in the social sciences or hard sciences.”

Lou D’Ambrosio had a tough summer in SoCal, feeling he was back in New Jersey with the humidity. Retired, but wife Chrissy is still working and that’s good planning. Granddaughter Audrey, first year at Vassar, scored a goal already in soccer and “none can surpass her.” He has a number of grandchildren, so watch out for family trips where you can leave someone “home alone.” He brought up our baseball moments at Wesleyan, and he was surprised that I had such a good memory. C’mon Lou, you were a second baseman reacting to the action. I was the thinker behind the plate assessing the batters and our pitchers. I kept track of everything and Coach Norm Daniels let me choose the next pitch. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was preparing myself for a career as a “baby catcher.” Lou meets with classmates Wink Davenport and Jay McIlroy and reports no new changes with them.

That brings me to a book I recently had published, entitled Baseball and Babies: My Life as a Catcher. By the time you are reading this in the magazine, I should be on the Yogi Berra best sellers list. It actually centers around a baseball fantasy camp I attended in 1983, presented by the LA Dodgers for their first of many annual events at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Fla. I rubbed elbows with players from the legendary “boys of summer,” the Brooklyn Dodgers of Jackie Robinson, and found that playing baseball after the age of 40 was very possible, with magical results. I recorded my experience each day, and created a manuscript that sat in a storage bin until just recently. In the movie, Field of Dreams, one line is, “Is this heaven?” and the response: “No, it’s Iowa.” I found heaven in Vero Beach, Fla., and on a wild and crazy baseball field, with a running track behind the right side of the infield, at a place Lou Gehrig once hit a home run off the Wesleyan University chapel.

TED MANOS, M.D. | ted_manos@yahoo.com

Here I go again, putting together class notes for another issue of our alumni magazine. Where will my thoughts take me, and in keeping with the “this is why” at Wesleyan, I’m looking at our class, a half-century removed from undergraduates, to lend some perspectives to the conversation. I would like to believe that we were led into our future by Wesleyan to have integrity, responsibility, and generosity in the various domains of our lives. I have been back to each Reunion and have been recording my notes on a quarterly basis so that I declare our mission accomplished.

There is a broad range of contribution to the world when you look at the paths we all followed. I’m thinking of our 50th Reunion class book and what was shared about life after graduation. I’m impressed by the physicians, lawyers, judges, and politicians who emerged from the “storied halls;” educators, philosophers, business leaders, and activists who transformed the lives of others.

Recently, I looked at the addendum to the class book and reviewed the comments of Norman Daniels, Richard T. Smith, Jr. (Chip), Joel J. Johnson, The Honorable Frederick J. Motz and Oliver E. Wood Jr. (Chips). Norm Daniels and Chip Smith took the path of social justice in theory and application to the leaders at Harvard University, in Norman’s case, and the labor workforce and union concerns in Chip’s world. Norman studied psychology and philosophy at Oxford for two years. Chip received a degree in economics from Temple University.

Fred Motz graduated from the University of Virginia Law School in 1967 and spent time as an assistant United States attorney, followed by working in a law firm in Baltimore. In 1985 he was appointed a United States District Judge in Maryland by President Reagan and continues to serve his community.

Joel Johnson was originally in the class of 1964 and didn’t graduate until 1965 when his CSS project was extended one year. He spent two years at Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School. He would be a source of interesting perception in the world of commerce, having worked for the federal government—State Department, Treasury, and Senate Foreign Relations Committee, participating in such activities as UN conferences on Trade and Development. He eventually left government employment and focused on international aspects of aerospace and defense trade and industrial cooperation.

Chips Wood got an MBA in international business at the Wharton School, went to Navy OCS training in Newport, R.I., and served for three years. He joined the Levi Strauss International Division and eventually rose to regional general manager, Asia. He later formed Wood Consulting International to assist companies entering foreign markets, including an enterprise in Russia.

We didn’t have women in our class, but in reviewing the notes on our wives, there is a powerful group of ladies who have been most valuable: Chip Smith’s wife, Kim, a neurosurgeon; Fred Motz’s spouse, an appellate court judge; Norman Daniels’, a neuropsychologist; and Chips Wood, a botanical artist.

Norman Daniels came away from Wesleyan wanting to learn theory acceptance in science.

Joel Johnson remembers Vic Butterfield’s advice to have four exciting years at Wesleyan but not the best years of our lives. Chip Smith was amazed at how much he learned after the first month of freshman year and the intellectual habits he developed. Fred Motz “being grateful not so much for the knowledge that was imparted to me, but for being taught to try to ask good questions.” For myself, I learned to trust my ability to be taught and took on four years at Albany Medical School and earned an MD degree. At Wesleyan I also learned how to be a catcher on the baseball diamond, giving me the tools to be an obstetrician and “catch” thousands of babies.

Jim Workman reported recently, “As I suspect is true with most of our classmates, we are traveling as long as we’re mobile.” I say, good point. They travel to the south of France, Florida and the North Carolina seashore. I’m happy to announce that he and his Green Bay neighbors have “largely gotten over the loss of the Packers to Seattle.”

How many of us from the class of 1964 remember our first week at Wesleyan and the symposium we were introduced to. I remember it well, as it was entitled “Mass Media, Mass Culture.” I recall how I was suddenly engaged in the topic when I found out what the word “media” meant. Television and the Internet would transform the culture, including the sports world.

Inside the modern world we live in, I would like to acknowledge Bill Belichick ’75. Super Bowl 49 was one of the most exciting and dramatic I can ever remember. I assert that the outcome was predictable to our fellow alumnus and his Patriot players, because preparation is the secret ingredient to success. Imagine a fellow Wesleyan product could very well be the most effective and accomplished professional football coach. I admire his calm demeanor and constant focus on the prize.

Garry Fathman, professor of medicine, Stanford, has been invited to give the commencement address at Washington University School of Medicine. Quite a nice addition to his career.

Arlene and Mark Dahl e-mailed me a copy of their Christmas letter. They are both retired, with Mark gradually spending less time keeping up with dermatological advances. They live around Scottsdale, Ariz., have a summer place in Minnesota, and a condo in Sun City, Ariz. They travel frequently, including Greece and Turkey last year, visiting biblical sites to enliven their Christian faith. Mark has journeyed to Chile on a number of trips including the Chilean Atacama Desert. They count eight grandchildren and all beyond the baby and toddler phase, including one a college graduate. No major health problems have been an issue.

Lou D’Ambrosio is enjoying retirement and ended his position as a reserve officer with the Indio, Calif., Police Department after six years. His daughter, Kara, birthed a boy in November, breaking a tie with one of each gender from before. Lou meets, periodically, with Wink Davenport and Jay McIlroy for lunch and they are well.

Ted Ridout and wife announced the addition of Rusty, “a totally charming and affectionate mini-long-haired dachshund.” The dog has plenty of energy but four feet of snow in the last 10 days has challenged his short stature. I’ve lived in Central Florida since 1975 and in 1977 we had about one hour of snow that was sticking to the cars. Not a flurry since that day when TV bulletins were telling people to stop making phone calls that were overwhelming circuits. “Hi, dear, hurry and look out the window. It’s snowing!”

If you’re on the road and come upon a 20-ft, 1979 Toyota minicamper it could be Henry Lanford and wife Ann traveling small roads, visiting small places and loving it. They are also busy as grandparents. He retired after 30 years in the yacht building business in Southwest Harbor, Maine.

Robert Maurer is working on publishing a debut novel, Passing Through (The Nineteen Sixties): On American Radicalization.

Surprising notification from Frank Sutterlin, who was with our class freshman year and is retired now after 44 years as a Presbyterian minister, working in insurance and recent employment as dental hygienist. Enjoying retirement with wife Lyn and finding opportunities not available in his working past.

TED MANOS, M.D. | ted_manos@yahoo.com

I’m sitting here in Florida on a lazy Saturday morning, the weekend after our 50th Reunion. I could bore you with the details of jet travel and rental cars at JFK International Airport but let’s say I arrived safely Thursday evening, late for the welcoming banquet but before they put the main meal away. The food was quite good for this event and it continued through each subsequent meal through Sunday brunch (bacon and eggs, which was to my liking). The coffee was top notch.

On Thursday evening, I was immediately impressed with the number of classmates who were present. There were plenty of conversations going on and I could sense that a good time was being had by all. I was numbed by my day of travel but enjoyed conversing with Chris Chase and his wife, Karen, at the table where I parked myself. I saw many of the members of our Reunion committee—Frank Judson, Steve Oleskey, Bill White, and others. I found Peter Sipples, Doug Clark, and Paul Eschholz comparing their experiences as an attorney, radio station owner, and retired educator, respectively.

I reserved quarters in Clark Hall and they were quite comfortable. My wife, Becky, couldn’t make the trip, so I didn’t have to be concerned about any snoring issues of my own making. Separating trash was a task and automatic faucets in the restrooms were challenging when brushing one’s teeth. The sounds coming through my first floor window didn’t interfere with my sleep after our full days. It was helpful that I had my handicap parking sticker, and a space right between Olin Library and Clark Hall was always waiting for me. Wesleyan’s public safety officers were very interested in making our stay safe and comfortable. The ancillary personnel and students were quite efficient and went out of their way for us.

I tried to handle the walking from one site to another and managed until Saturday, when I realized there was a cell number to call for a van to take me from point A to point B. I can see returning for future Reunions and, with facilities for the handicapped from airports to campuses, this is a real choice as we live into the “golden years.”

We had a well-attended panel discussion on Friday morning at the old EQV house, now a facility for Romance languages. Frank Judson led the topic, which centered on the present and future for the elite liberal arts model of education. Wesleyan’s endowment was discussed and how it was the highest per student in our undergraduate years. Currently, Wesleyan’s endowment isn’t what it used to be but, at the dinner hosted by President Roth that evening, the topic certainly has the attention of the administration. James Dresser ’63 was one of the participants and he noted that aid-blind admission policies have been discontinued.

Aside from the structure established by the committee, there was ample time for enhancing old relationships and forging new contacts. We are well beyond the identities we were consumed with in the past. Our days of athletic gifts are something of memories and we now have the opportunity to relate to others in ways we never had the time to develop before. I know for myself, I am impressed with Steve Oleskey and the stands he takes in his world. I told him that as Wesleyan alumni we share each other’s accomplishments, as well as the possibilities for transforming the world in what we’ve learned over time. It is encouraging to know that, in our retirements, there is a new and empowering future.

Sometime during the weekend, I heard my name being called and it was a sweet sight, indeed, to see Chris Lapuc standing there with husband Paul Lapuc. From my previous notes, you might recall the serious medical issues on her plate. She summed things up by stating, “I’m still alive,” and I embraced her with great relief. Now that I reflect on my joy in that moment, all the wives I have met during the Reunions have been special women. The likes of Lou D’Ambrosio, Peter Sipples, Paul Brands, Don Ware, Bill Medd, Chip Smith, Judson, Oleskey and many more are enriched with their special women. Let’s be real, the guys we rubbed elbows with over 50 years ago weren’t about to transform their lives without the women behind them. Peel away the layers and there we are as little boys with their toys.

I could go on forever, but the parade, box lunch, and music were a delight. I attended a couple of seminars, including one featuring Rusty Hardin. He is a trial attorney from Houston. He has been in the news over the years and has successfully represented clients at venues including the U.S. Supreme Court. He was also a recipient of an outstanding alumnus award and recognition in the Wesleyan chapel during the weekend.

The seminar included an alumna who coordinates U.S. Senate investigations of wrongdoing and laid down the process in a clear and precise manner. Rusty spoke after her presentation and applauded the way the U.S. Senate conducted its investigations but not the House of Representatives. He defended baseball pitcher Roger Clemens before a House committee on allegations of perjury in a previous congressional investigation. I saw Rusty in many a news report as he accompanied his client through a mob of media reporters.

After the seminar, I approached Rusty and proceeded to verify that he was a member of our freshman class and had to drop out for a year and return to graduate with the class of 1965. I was impressed with his open manner for someone in the media eye and how he was happy to see me. He apparently kept track of the class in my quarterly notes and always had more of an affinity for 1964. He changed his schedule and showed up at our class banquet on Saturday evening.

The Saturday banquet turned out to be a fitting tribute to the whole weekend. Awards were given out, including one recognizing my service as class secretary for I don’t remember how many years. Coach Don Russell attended our banquet as did retired professor Dick Miller. It was exciting to have a picture taken of our freshman baseball team members present with the coach.

Lou D’Ambrosio came up to the podium and sang a smooth song reminiscent of the legendary Frank Sinatra. He sounds more like Tony Bennett these days. Rusty Hardin asked to address the class and shared how moved he was to be back with “his class.” He was at my table where, with his wife, he expressed gratitude in enjoying the banquet and said it was well worth a change in his plans to get down to New York City.

I know there were many alumni who couldn’t manage to attend. I would appreciate hearing from you via e-mail and I could create an addendum to the class book updating where you are and what you’re up to. I know Bill Woodcock attended and wanted to create an addendum to his information. Everyone appeared to be pleased with the effort for our 50th Reunion. Finally, there is an “in memoriam” section for 29 individuals who have passed away and are truly missed even though our memories can keep their spirits with us.

TED MANOS, M.D. | ted_manos@yahoo.com

I have been working on our class 50th Reunion committee and would like to acknowledge those classmates who have spent months working on the Reunion with e-mails, conference calls, idea sessions, and many hours reflecting on how quickly the time has elapsed.

We have been led by three co-chairs, Frank Judson, Steve Oleskey, and Bill White. Frank has been awesome in leading our conference calls and you can see that as a physician in the field of infectious disease, he has learned to share his ideas and opinions particularly in being a leader in his medical community in Colorado dealing with the HIV epidemic. Success has been realized with HIV treatment and protocols, and I can see where Frank Judson has been a contributor.

Steve has complemented Frank’s leadership with his attention to detail and his attorney training to lend concise suggestions and keep the committee on course. Bill adds his organizing skill to our leaders and his commitment to seeing the Reunion achieve success serving classmates who find their way back to Wesleyan.

Others involved with the committee include Steve Baker, Clark Lambert, Edgie Russell, Bill Medd, Nick Puner, David Skaggs, and Don Ware. I was editor for the class book, which will be available at the Reunion, but I contacted Peter Sipples many months ago and he did most of the work putting things together. He lives in the Connecticut area and his availability has been invaluable in reviewing all the elements displayed in the publication.

Michael Palmer was a member of our crew but his untimely death was an unwelcome reminder of our vulnerability. I have communicated with Michael over the years and we were pointing to the 50th Reunion as a significant milestone. He will be sorely missed.

Fred Motz missed the opportunity to submit to the 50th Reunion book, because we had an incorrect e-mail address for him. He sent what he would have submitted—which we’ve excerpted below. (The full version is on the Class Notes web site: classnotes.blogs.wesleyan.edu). He also adds, “I was only at my Reunion for one night but I very much enjoyed walking around the campus and seeing my friends who were there.

“The past 50 years: I went directly from Wesleyan to the University of Virginia Law School from which I graduated in 1967. In 1968 I clerked for a judge on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. In September of that year Diana Gribbon (whom I met at UVA) and I were married, and she has put up with me ever since. We have two wonderful children and two grandchildren, who brighten our lives. After unsuccessfully trying to become a Marine, I joined a law firm in Baltimore, then became an Assistant United States Attorney, and later rejoined the same law firm. In 1981 I was appointed as the United States Attorney in Maryland, and in 1985 I was appointed as a United States District Judge by President Reagan. I have served as a District Judge since that time, and I have enjoyed every minute of the job. Longevity has provided the opportunity to be on several national committees and to try many interesting and complex cases…

“Memories of Wesleyan: Being a member of a talented and fun-loving team that put Wesleyan on the lacrosse map. Listening to Ray Charles in the Harriman Hall room I shared with Dick Colton and Gary Cook. Friendships—and attempting to develop the capacity to be alone. … Observing how old the members of the class of 1914 appeared when they led the reunion parade. Being grateful not so much for knowledge that was imparted to me but for being taught to try to ask good questions.”

TED MANOS, M.D. | ted_manos@yahoo.com

The heat and humidity finally broke here in central Florida and the cool dry breeze felt good to this old Brooklynite. November also brought the undefeated Wesleyan football team facing Williams at Homecoming. The Cardinals were looking to capture their first Little Three football championship since 1970. I watched the game over the Internet and was delighted with our 16–14 triumph.

Wesleyan’s accomplishment came on the heels of the Boston Red Sox victory at the World Series, as the Sox clinched the crown at Fenway Park for the first time since 1918. I was thinking of Michael Palmer and his passion for the Sox at the end of the game. I was devastated to learn that he passed away from a stroke and heart attack on the evening of October 30th in New York City as the last out was recorded. He will truly be missed.

Russ Messing has just finished and self-published his first book of poetry, A Convergence of Unanticipated Consequences. I quote from his e-mail: “I am quite proud of and happy with it. I will soon start on my next book. Having been a ‘secret’ writer for many, many years, I finally decided to come out of my dark room and take the plunge into the light. It was a humbling and exciting experience. I love the focus, the whimsy, the challenge, the hard work, and the finished product.” It is available on Amazon.

David Skaggs reports that after leaving Congress in 1999, he worked in DC for several years on democracy-building, political reform, and civic education issues. David and wife Laura moved back to Colorado in 2006, sharing a small farm north of Niwot with a Scottish Highland cow, several chickens, and assorted vermin. The intervening years have included a stint as head of Colorado’s department of higher ed. for Gov. Ritter and, now, teaching and practicing law and co-chairing the Office of Congressional Ethics. He hopes to see a bunch from ’64 at Reunion in May.

Allen Ames has been retired for a few years and lives in Clinton, Conn. He still boats (now with a 31-foot trawler) and sings in a local church choir.

David Townsend communicated that he is happily retired in Chattanooga, Tenn., with wife Gale and their two Shelties. After having both hips replaced, his athletic activities center around swimming and bicycling. They have made several bike tours with Vermont Bicycling Tours and the last one touring the vineyards in California. They have also done the Dolomites, Hungary, and Slovakia, and Costa Rica. Last year he reestablished contact with Paul Eschholz and visited him at his home in Naples, Fla. It had been over 25 years since they last contacted each other.

TED MANOS, M.D.
ted_manos@yahoo.com